June 21, 1916

Dear Lola,

I guess you thought I was never going to write but when I explain I know you'll excuse me. We have been under short range shell fire for almost a month steady and I was unable to procure paper and envelopes until today. We were living underground part of the time. I had seen some awful sights before but the last few days I have seen things I'll never be able to forget. I'm only just beginning to find out what war really is. We expect to be under fire for at least two weeks more but it will most probably be a lot better than the last three weeks. How is every-body around Huttonville and yourselves. I wrote to Fred but I am so used to leaving my address out that I must have forgotten to tell him where to answer so I will have to write again as soon as possible. The weather here now is quite changed for instead of being warm it is cold now. I guess Fred will be having quite an experience down where he is. There was a fellow in our platoon that used to be all around Peel County seventeen years ago. His home was in Brampton then. He was telling me about Brampton Eldorado Huttonville and all those places and what they were like when he left. He is wounded now so I won't see him for awhile. I have a snapshot of Huttonville from the Hill across the dam and he used to look at it and point out places he remembered. I guess you know Ralph has enlisted but I hope he doesn't get this far. All the boys from Huttonville in this battalion are safe but I haven't heard how Bob Dexter is. It was his brigade that the germans attacked at Hooge. I am writing this about two miles behind the lines. As we were walking through the fields today we were remembering how pretty the country was. The fields are mostly covered with poppies and daisies. The hedges are full of roses and one can hardly realize when you're away from the sound of the guns that there is a war on. I have to close now for I have nothing more to write. Tell Mr. Passmore I'll write in a few days and Remember me to Mrs. Passmore and Jennie, and the boys all wish to be remembered to you all and so I'll close remaining,

Your Sincere Friend
George H Tripp

Please excuse bad pencil and mistakes.